Tennessee Football Faces Quarterback Search After Nico Iamaleava Transfer

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal with a 'do not contact' tag after negotiations over a higher NIL contract fell through, leading to his departure from the Vols. Iamaleava reportedly sought a significant NIL increase, with some reports suggesting he aimed for around $4 million but was only offered between $2.2 and $2.5 million. His exit leaves Tennessee searching for a replacement, but the top-tier quarterbacks have yet to enter the portal, making the process slower as the Vols weigh their options and consider waiting for elite players or pivoting to second-tier candidates. Meanwhile, speculation surrounds Iamaleava's next destination, with UCLA, Oregon, and Notre Dame among the potential landing spots due to existing program ties and offensive schemes. Tennessee may also consider promoting redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger or targeting available quarterbacks like Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli. The situation highlights the growing impact of NIL negotiations and transfer portal dynamics in college football.